Self-centering end bolt for bumpers



March 26, 1935. 3 JANDUS SELF GENTERING END BOLT FOR BUMPERS Filed April25, 1931 Patented Mar. 26, 1935 SELF-(ENTERING END BUMPERS Herbert S.Jandus, Detroit, Mich.,

Boar FOR minor to General Spring Bumper Corporation, Detroit, Mich., acorporation of Michigan Application April 25, 1931, Serial No. 532,849

This invention has to do with bumpers, particularly of the characterembodying a pair of impact bars adapted to be suported and cushioned bya single back bar, and has for its principal object to provide a specialend bolt construction of the self-centering type whereby the eyes of therespective bars will be held in proper relationship.

A further object of the invention contemplates the provision of apreferably sheet metal stamped cap adapted to substantially enclose thehead of a bolt and provided with means equally spaced from the boltshank and adapted to engage the interior wall through which the bolt isto pass.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as thedescription proceeds.

The invention (in a. preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view, partly broken away, showing aportion of a bumper constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation,showing the improved bolt head construction in use.

Figure 3 is a broken enlarged elevational view of a bolt to which thecap made in accordance with the present invention is secured.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the bolt and head, with the protectingand centering cap shown in sections.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, wherein thesame partsare indicated throughout by the same reference characters, the bolt 1 isprovided with a mushroom head 2, although it is to be understood thatthe essence of the present invention is applicable to any type of bolthead, and the sheet metal cap 3 completely encloses the head 2. The cap3 is formed with a circumferential inwardly extending flange 4 fromwhich extends a substantially cylindrical flange or skirt 5 maderesilient by reason of its slots 6. The top of the cap 3 may receive anydesired ornamentation and it will be clear from the foregoing that it isso constructed as to constitute a permanent part of the bolt 1.

means for centering the shank 7 of the bolt 1 in whatever opening it maybe placed, and for the purpose of illustration, the drawing depicts itsuse in connection with a bumper end connection.

This connection consists of a pair of front or The depending cylindricalflange 5 serves as a 9 Claims. (01."-50) impact bumper bars 8, havingeyes 9 and 10 respectively arranged eoaxially and receiving the eye 11of the back bar 12. Juxtaposed portions of the eyes 9 and 10 are cutawayor rabbeted at 13 and 14 to receive the neck 15 of the back bar I 12and to permit a certain degree of pivotal movement of the back bar eye11 with respect to the front bar eyes 9 and 10.

In order to complete the centering of the shank 7, an element 15aconstituting in effect a washer 10 engages the bottom of the eye 10 andis provided with an upstanding circumferential portion 16 formed toengage the interior wall of the eye 10 and perform the function ofcentering the bolt therein. A nut 17 serves to hold the parts firmly 15in position.

With the construction just described, a bolt having a shank which is ofconsiderably less diametral dimension than the opening through which itpasses maybe adequately centered there- 20 In, without requiring specialbolt construction.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction may be varied through a wide range without departing fromthe principles of this invention, and I, there- 25 fore, do not purposelimiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by theprior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. As an article of manufacture, a self-center- 30 ing end bolt forbumper bars and the like, comprising a cap engaging upper and lowerportions of the bolt head, and having portions spaced from and inco-axial relation to the shank.

2. As an article of manufacture, a self-center- 35 lng end bolt-forbumper bars and the like, comprising a cap embracing upper and lowerpor-' tions of the bolt head, and having resilient portions in co-axialrelation to said shank.

3. As an article of manufacture, a self-center- 40 ing end bolt forbumper bars and the like, comprising a cap embracing upper and lowerportions of its head, and having a substantially cylindrical flange inco-axial relation to said shank.

4. As an article of manufacture, for centering 45 a bolt in preformedopenings of slightly varying diameters and of substantially greatertransverse dimensions than the shank of the bolt, a metal cap for thebolt and of substantially mushroom shape and including a resilient shankfor snugly fitting the openings. I

5. As an article of manufacture, a cap for centering a shank in anopening of substantially greater transverse dimensions than the shank,said cap having a bolt head covering portion, a re- 55 ing as anornamental cap and said head serving to anchor the cap and also toreinforce the cap against denting, and a skirt extending from the cap soas to be spaced from and substantially surround the shank, whereby toengage in an opening of substantially larger diameter than the shank tosupport the bolt therein.

'7. As an article of manufacture, a bolt having a head and a shank, ametallic sheath crimped onto the head so as to substantially engage thesame substantially throughout, said sheath serving as an ornamental capand said head serving to anchor the cap and also to reinforce the capagainst denting, and a skirt extending from the cap so as to be spacedfrom and substantially surround the shank, whereby to engage in anopening of substantially larger diameter than the shank to support thebolt therein, said skirt being resilient to compensate for variations insize of such openings.

8. As an article of manufacture, a bolt having a head and a shank, ametallic sheath crimped onto the head so as to substantially engage thesame substantially throughout, said sheath serving as an ornamental capand said head serving to anchor the cap and also to reinforce the capagainst denting, and a skirt extending from the cap so as to be spacedfrom and substantially surround the shank, whereby to engage in anopening of substantially larger diameter than the shank to support thebolt therein, said skirt being arranged inwardly of the outer peripheryof the cap whereby the outer peripheral portion of the cap forms anannular shoulder for engaging a body formed with such opening to limitthe extent to which the bolt projects into the opening.

9. A concealing ornamental and protecting cap for a bumper endconnection, comprising a stamped metal member having a resilient shankadapted to fit snugly in a bumper eye, and a head having a shoulderadapted to overlie the eye, and means reinforcing the head to preventinjury thereto.

HERBERT S. JANDUS.

